It takes until the weekend after it happens before Celine hears about the most recent uproar, and it's only because of her dinner with Landon that she's clued in at all.

"There's absolutely no hint of that information anywhere in the Muggle world." She confirms with a frown, putting down a bite of the pasta dish she'd made for tonight. She and Landon still meet up weekly, but considering the catastrophic fallout of their conversation being overheard they've moved to only interacting in private, which has translated to them having dinner every weekend at each other's homes. This week was Celine's turn to host, and she'd tried her hand at actually cooking something, which seems to have turned out decently enough much to her delight. "It must have only been dropped to the Prophet - obviously is was an attack on the magical side of cooperation."

Landon sighs. "I'm not sure if that's a good or a bad thing honestly." He comments with a frown, poking at his own plate. He has eaten about half of it already, so Celine isn't second guessing her cooking skills, but she understands why the topic of conversation would kill one's appetite. "I think we kind of assumed things would be fine on the magical end and haven't really been putting much focus there. Majorly backfiring now I guess."

"You're still learning." Celine offers. "And you managed things in the Muggle world after New Year's  pretty well. And it's not like you're doing nothing on the magic side - the meetups are open to everyone, right?"

He shrugs uncertainly. "I suppose that's true. Still, it feels like every time we get a handle on things again, another rug we didn't even notice gets yanked out from under us. At this rate I'm not even sure the Initiative will be in operation much longer - they're putting together an internal investigation, obviously, to check if the story has any legitimacy, and if they find even a hint of anything we'll probably be shut down."

Celine frowns - even at his most morose and bitter over Rose, she's never seen Landon this cynical about anything, and it's honestly a little irritating. "I highly doubt that." She says firmly. "The Initiative has done far more good than harm, and it's still in its infancy - stumbles are to be expected, especially considering how massive the scope of your work is and the number of people you're having to mediate between, especially as compared to how small the team actually is. If they shut you down then it will be because they were already planning to, and from everything I've seen from the women in charge, both of the Initiative and the Minister for Magic herself, that's not going to happen."

"You act like they have much influence at the end of the day." Landon mutters. "It's really the council's call - if they want to pull the plug and start a war there's nothing any of us can do."

"Oh bull!" Celine snaps, then slaps a hand over . She did not mean for that to be outloud.

Landon startles and looks up at her. "Excuse me? Look, I know it's ty, but I work with the coucil and I know-"

"I'm sure they're terrible." Celine interrupts. "That's not what I'm calling bull on." She takes a breath, unsure exactly how to phrase her thoughts - mostly because they're less coherent thoughts and more indistinct but powerful emotions. "It's just... there's always something people can do. Even if it's just being loud and angry, there's always something. I mean, imagine if the civil rights movement in America just decided, 'oh, the white people are the ones in charge of everything so I guess there's nothing we can do.' Imagine if LGBT rights activists said 'culture is heteronormative with a strong Christian base and everyone assumes being straight is the default, so I guess there's nothing we can do.' Or if the feminist movement thought, 'well, men make all the laws so I guess we should just accept being treated like second-class citizens since there's nothing we can do.' There's always something you can do, and saying otherwise is just... well, it's just giving yourself a reason to not feel bad about giving up. If there's nothing you can do, then doing nothing and letting things fall apart becomes a perfectly legitimate, ethically sound option to take." She in a breath, unsure where the rant had come from but not super regretting letting it all out.

If she does have any regrets about it, it's only how gutted Landon looks afterwards. "I... it's just an expression I didn't..."

She sighs. "I know, I'm sorry for snapping." She mumbles, staring at the food and regretting how badly this is going. She's risking her job for this just to what? Drive him away with self-righteous blathering? For being such a good writer, she can still be a major dunce with the spoken word. "I just... I guess we're all stressed right now?" She offers, only for Landon's frown to deepen.

They spend the next several minutes in silence, though Landon does finish his food in that time so Celine is hoping he's just deep in thought and not absolutely furious with her and thinking of how to politely inform her that he has no interest in her coming to his house next weekend (he'd never be mean about it even if absolutely incensed - he's too much of a gentleman for that).

When he does finish he lets out a slow breath. "I... you're right." He says, and it's not what she expected, but she'll also happily take the win. "Even if I did only intend it as an expression, as a way to vent, that sort of negativity isn't useful for anyone, and certainly doesn't get anything accomplished. I'm sorry for dumping it on you."

"It's fine. We should be able to talk about stuff like this, right?" She offers uncertainly, and relaxes when he smiles at her.

"Yeah, we should." He agrees.

Landon is still thinking about the conversation when he bids Celine good evening about half an hour later. He does agree that they should be able to talk about things like that... but he still feels pretty crummy about the whole thing anyway, and the fact he feels bad only makes him feel worse, in what is quickly becoming an extremely unenjoyable, self-feeding downward spiral.

He decides he's going to walk home, despite it being a solid fourty minute trek to his flat on the other side of the city. It's warm enough now that the evening air is pleasantly cool instead of freezingly cold, and hopefully the fresh (well, maybe not fresh - it is London after all, but at least crisp) air and extra travel time will help him wrangle his thoughts.

The thing of it is that he agrees wholeheartedly with Celine - everything she had said, up to and including calling him out on his defeatest attitude, are all things he believes. So logically, her pointing them out to him really shouldn't make him feel as terrible as he does, and yet. He figures if he can root out the true cause of the inner turmoil, as well as why and how it was activated by Celine's comments, then he'll feel better. He also figures he'll have more luck actually reaching his goals if he gives himself some time to actually think things through.

He replays the conversation a few times in his mind, trying to pinpoint when exactly he started feeling as negatively as he does, but finds a sense of bitter resentment had hung over the entire talk - nothing in Celine's speech seems to have triggered it. In fact, if he forces himself to really analyze his mood, his frustration had begun when they had talked about the latest attack - well before Celine had called him out for being a defeatist.

And really, that makes sense. He would have had to be snippy already to have triggered the conversation at all. He sighs and raises his shoulder slightly against a sharp wind coming out of an alley as he passes. It does make sense for him to feel twitchy about the Prophet article, considering the still-unknown and ongoing ramifications are sure to be drastic, but... that isn't it. Celine is right that the Initiative has already weathered worse, and though the council is powerful, the Minister will be the final word on the matter.

A rush of annoyance stops him in his tracks. Well. Apparently thinking about the Minister annoys him which... he thinks he knows now, where exactly his brain is at, but he honestly doesn't want to go down that path. But the whole point of this walk is to help him pinpoint his own emtional triggers, so he forces himself to consider what annoyance at the Minister actually means.

Rose.

They still aren't talking, and he knows that's still a problem but she hasn't been talking to him either so. It's not only his fault.

She has been back with the Minister on and off, though, including all week this week to try and deal with the international wizarding community, so she hasn't been present much in the offices since the fight. Since Landon is pretty solidly set in dealing with Muggle Parliament, Rose has had to take on more of the international magical world, and even the Wizengamot and the council, on her own. So... she's probably busy. Still, part of Landon stubbornly resists the idea of being the first to crack and apologize, especially considering she really was the one who started it. She'd taken advantage of his willingness to help and forced him to do a majority of the work they were supposed to be dividing, all while pretending to be his friend.

He knows his hand is curling into a fist, but he can't help it - the whole thing absolutely infuriates him. And... it hurts, too.

His hand slowly relaxes open again and he leans against a nearby wall as his head (and stomach) start swirling dangerously. It hurts. He's been so angry, for so long, that he never really let himself admit how Rose's actions felt like more than a move - they felt like the betrayal of a good friend.

Sure, he and Rose hadn't known each other that long, but she was fun to chat with, and they really clicked in those early months working together. He'd quite quickly come to consider her a friend - and he'd thought she'd felt the same. But considering her actions, he has to wonder if he was ever anything more than a gullible idiot falling for her sweet smiles and clever charm just like the old, grumpy leaders he's seen her so expertly manipulate.

He takes a few deep breaths and informs himself firmly that he's being an overdramatic child. Yes, Rose had hurt him, but they also need to start working together again. He needs to put aside his own pain because if he doesn't, the literal world could end.

He almost laughs - how crazy is his life that that sentence isn't even a slight exaggeration? When he's done chuckling he pushes up off the wall and returns to his walk.

Just because he's finally decided to talk to Rose doesn't mean he's planning to be the only one apologizing, however. They'll be talking on equal footing, and he's going to be very clear what exactly he expects of her if they're to continue their partnership. The world is bigger than his ego, but he thinks he's more than justified to expect actual assistance in their enormous task - and if Rose rejects the offer, then...

Landon sighs. If Rose rejects his terms, then he'll have to ask the leaders to have her replaced. Between the two of them it will be easier to find someone new to manage the magical end than it will be to get someone new approved to attend Parliamentary meetings. It's ugly, and maybe underhanded, but Celine was right about how important their job is, and if Rose can't do her part? Then Landon doesn't think he'll feel all that bad about throwing her under the bus.

Rose isn't sure what to think when Landon grabs her at work Monday morning and informs her they need to talk. Obviously they need to talk, but frankly Rose really, really doesn't want to. Any talking is going to result in her having to apologize and take responsibility for all the crap she constantly pulls, and she just doesn't have the emotional bandwidth for a self-hate session right now.

But Landon's grip on her arm is firm, and his 'request' to speak with her is very clearly a demand, so she stands up wordlessly and follows him to a quieter corner of the offices, awkwardly aware of their coworkers trying to not stare as they go past.

Landon takes a moment to actually start talking once they reach the apparent chosen talking spot, and when he does finally speak it's not the berating and demands that Rose had honestly been expected (that Rose honestly deserves).

"I'll start by apologizing. I said some things last we spoke that were cruel and untrue." He says. "But I hope you recognize that you did the same thing."

Rose stares at her feet and doesn't react one way or another, still waiting for the other shoe to drop - this is all far too cordial and it's making her antsy. She doesn't think she really deserves cordial, considering how she'd (entirely unfairly) lashed out during their last conversation, and the fact Landon is being so polite about the whole thing is only making her feel that much worse. She really is the only bad guy in this scenario, and is that really any surprise?

Landon clears his throat. "This is the part where you apologize too and we agree to be professional from now on." He says pointedly, but she keeps starting at her feet, words crushing up against the block in , clogging it further and preventing any sound from escaping - not that she's in any way moved to try and speak. "Rose." He repeats impatiently, and the rising irritation in his tone seems to crack through the strange, motionless numbness that had been rooting her to the spot.

"I don't see why we need to do this." She mutters, mostly to herself but definitely loud enough to be heard, and Landon snaps, grabbing her arm again and dragging her towards the leaders' office.

He's going to demand a new partner. Rose thinks distantly. That's good - he needs a good partner. He should have always had a good partner - why did I ever apply? I should have known that I would just ruin things for everyone.

Her thoughts are jarred away when Landon pushes into the leaders' office without actually knocking or otherwise announcing his presence. He really is (fairly, her mind whispers) furious.

"Excuse me, apologies for the interruption, but Rose and I are going on a walk." Landon announces.

Mrs. Weasley and Mrs. Morgan both look up from their work, the latter startled but the former looking almost pleased.

"Granted. Be back after lunch please." Mrs. Weasley instructs, and though Mrs. Morgan raises an eyebrow she doesn't counter the order.

"Wait, I don't-"

"Walks are good." Landon informs her briskly, pulling her back out of the office and towards the lifts. "And frankly, we need to have this conversation and if you don't want to have it here we won't. But it is happening."

Rose stares at him as they lift descends, before decides it's time to fill the silence and opens itself without any apparent input from her brain. "You know, this sort of nonsense is usually more my speed - it's weird seeing you doing it."

Landon blinks, glancing at her uncertainly, before giving a half-smile. "Well, someone needed to be the weird one, and you were busy pouting. Feel free to take that role back, I honestly feel a bit odd myself about the whole thing." He offers.

They fall silent after that again, the air between them still tense, though Rose thinks that's mostly her fault - her mind is still screaming about the 'other shoe' and how she's 'not going to ever be good enough' and it's making her twitchy. She even considers literally running away from the conversation, but she refuses to be that much of a pathetic child and forces herself to fall into step beside Landon instead, letting him set the pace and direction of their walk.

"So. Walks." She finally says after the quiet has stretched on long enough to turn awkward again. "What's with that?"

He shrugs. "They're good for getting your thoughts in order, I find. And I get the sense you might need to get your thoughts in order on all this."

Rose frowns at the floor, watching her steps and matching them to Landon's to avoid having to actually respond. Though it seems like he may not be expecting a response for some time based on his comments. Getting her thoughts in order? What does that even mean? She's always trying to avoid her thoughts, especially as they relate to this job and Landon - her mind isn't a very pleasant place to be when she actually stops to look around.

Besides, she already knows the things she's sure Landon wants to hear: she's lazy, she's manipulative, she's deceitful, she's a bad person and a worse friend. She took advantage of Landon's willingness to help (slash willingness to show off) and ruined what really could have been an amazing relationship - and had been, before he'd found out the truth about Rose, and this is why she doesn't like living in her own head. The guilt her thoughts are churning up are upsetting her stomach and making her feel distinctly ill.

Landon still doesn't seem inclined to say anything when she looks over at him - he's not even looking at her, and in fact seems to be enjoying the walk - and her stomach only turns over more insistently. She wants to say something, but also isn't sure if it will be words or her breakfast that will come out if she opens . She wants the ground to swallow her up and let her get away from this conversation entirely.

She wants Landon to yell at her again - at least then she knew where she stood. This conteplative silence, and the accompanying screaming in her mind, is absolute torture.

"Why didn't you just ask for a new partner?" She finally says, demands, really, and she internally winces at her own tone. "We both know you think I'm worthless so why not just ask for someone else? They'd do it, you know. I'm the more easily replaced person in this arrangement."

Landon glances over at her, eyebrow raised slightly. "I told you, I want to talk. You haven't really talked yet. Figured I should give you that opportunity." There's a small pause before he adds, "And I like working with you. At least the you I thought I knew. I guess I want to see if she actually existed or if everything was a lie."

Rose in a breath, feeling like she's been punched in the ribcage. "I... it wasn't..." She tries to say, but she can't, because he's right. She is a lie. A pretty lie, certainly, but what is she really, if not just empty charm and manipulative smiles? Landon deserves a better partner. Landon is a good person.

Rose has always known she wasn't one.

"What do you want me to say?" She finally spits out, still staring at the ground, wishing it would open up and swallow her away from this discussion. "That I'm a terrible person? That I smile and lie and manipulate my way through life because I'm incapable of doing anything else? That my freaking existence is a waste and all I've ever been worth is talking my way out of the I get myself into? What do you want me to say, Landon? I'm not as good as you, we both know that now. Just get a better partner, one who's actually capable of doing ."

"I don't want another partner." Landon snaps, and that gets Rose to finally drag her eyes away from her feet, which are still stepping in tandem with Landon's, "We worked well together at the start. And you can stop with the self-pity party, you're not a terrible person. And you're good at plenty of things - you just say you're not to get out of having to deal with the tier decisions you make."

Rose straightens sharply. "Excuse me? What exactly are you implying?" She says angrily, only getting more irritated when he laughs.

"Sorry, sorry. Just, two seconds ago you were calling yourself a terrible person, and now you're getting defensive over my suggesting you only do so to get out of having to change." He shrugs still grinning slightly. "If you were really okay with 'just being a bad person' then why get so defensive when someone points out when you're being kind of questionable?"

Rose glares at him, then at his feet, and then at her own feet. She feels sick again - this is why she doesn't like talking. Just when she thinks she can't get any worse than she already is she's proven wrong again.

Landon lets her stew, probably enjoying his stupid, awful, walk, and leaving Rose to suffer in the recesses of her own mind. Get out of having to deal with the tier decisions to you make. It had hurt when he'd said that, and he's right that if she's really so sure of her own horridness then it shouldn't have. But she doesn't want to be horrible, she just is. Right?

But... Landon had said she wasn't. He'd said so right after she'd explained exactly why she was one - had said so even though he knows. Should know. Maybe he doesn't? Is her lying really that good? Or is he just fooling himself?

"You're capable of being better, Rose. You just have to be willing to put in the effort. Step one is not just assuming you're terrible, since that makes it a lot easier to do questionable things." Landon says, and Rose realizes that at some point she'd started crying.

" you." She grumbles, and Landon nudges her.

"Nah, I'm taken." He replies lazily, and Rose can't help perking up slightly, swiping at her tears so she can look at him without the blur.

"You what? When did that happen?" She asks. "Celine?"

He grins at her. "Maybe. Don't tell though, we're keeping it casual because of her job."

Rose sniffs. "Oh... yeah, I didn't even think about that. Still though, that's exciting! When did it start?" She blinks hopefully. "Did my party help?"

Landon laughs. "Well, we did set up our first coffee date then, so yeah, indirectly. Don't get too puffed about it." He adds.

It's then that Rose realizes what her partner is doing. "Hey, no fair. I'm supposed to be the evil manipulator - no using my own tricks to make me feel better."

He shrugs unapologetically. "You were spiraling - that wasn't going to be of any help. Now that your brain is back on level ground, can we honestly talk about this? I'm serious about wanting to keep you as my partner, but I'm also serious about you needing to do better."

She bites her lip and forces down the voices that rise up again, screaming about her incompetence. "You're completely sure? I can't promise I won't pull stupid again you know. Or spiral. Or-"

"I get it, I know. It can't happen overnight and I don't expect it to. I just want your word that you're going to try, okay?"

Rose looks at the hand he stretches out to her, and allows herself a small smile as she hesitantly reaches out to accept it.

"Okay. Where do we start?"

Miles isn't sure what to think when Rose and Landon come to him that afternoon, not the least because he hasn't seen them actually working together in, well, months. He's happy to see it though, and he has no qualms about helping them out.

"You have contacts in the Prophet, right? Could you get us a meeting with one of their reporters?" Landon asks, and Miles frowns.

"Well, yes, but you've met Trish too." He points out. "Wasn't that sort of the point of you coming with me last time?" Not that he's against calling up his former Prophet coworkers - quite the contrary, he'd love to see them again, since he's been too busy to reach out with recent events being what the are.

Landon hums. "Yes, but I've also ended up as more of the Muggle coordinator, so we were hoping you could introduce Rose to everyone too, that way she's got those same contacts to fall back on with her work in the magical world."

Miles beams at Rose, who grins back. She seems a little worn down, but if she's the one handling the magical side of things then Miles really can't blame her. "No problem! Let me owl Selene and see if she can get me the schedules of some of the top reporters, so we can see if any of them would be available to sit down and chat this week."

The two thank him, and he immediately gets to work, scratching out a letter and sending it off using a Ministry owl (that way the Prophet will wave it through - they always assume Ministry owls are carrying important news and so don't put them through the usual checking process). Then it's a matter of waiting for Serene to get back to him, which could take a while - she's usually pretty busy.

Sure enough, it's not until the next morning that Serene's tawny owl slams into his window insistently, carrying a long scroll and looking thoroughly put-upon (though to be fair, she always looks put-upon). Miles gives her some treats and water before unrolling the scroll. It's a list of every reporter currently in the country, which as it turns out is most of them. The draw of the Initiative has brought even some of their top travelling reporters back to English soil - including one man who Miles immediately knows he wants for this interview.

He scribbles out a quick note to Serene with the request and gives it to the owl to return (he likes to think she looks somewhat pleased by the lighter load, but it's impossible to tell). She takes off out the window, and that's that. He'll hopefully hear back from his requested reporter within 24 hours, but considering how busy the man likely is Miles just hopes there's a reply before the end of the week.

Later at work he worries if he should have listed a few different people they'd be open to talking to. He'd aimed high and although the chances that the reporter he'd requested won't be able to cover or be interested in their story is definitely above zero, he really should have included a backup. Of course, Serene probably picked backups for him, since she's been covering for his over-enthusiasm for the entirety of their acquaintanceship. He should get her something nice.

Rose pops by his desk just before lunch that day. "Any word from the Prophet?" She asks, and he shrugs.

"I've put in the request - from here we're waiting to see if any reporters want to take it." He pats her shoulder when she pouts. "But I mean, with everything going on reporters would have to be pretty nuts not to want this story! So I think we'll have something set up by next week at the latest, you wait and see." He technically shouldn't say that with quite so much confidence, but really. It's a front-page story - someone is going to want it, and they're going to want it fast. He may have been in editing, but Miles still remembers how the Prophet works.

She perks up a bit. "Yeah? I really want this to go well, it's my first time flying completely solo. Landon's still dealing with the Muggle Parliament - he's kind of nosing around to see if they had any knowledge of a Muggle sabotaging us, though don't say anything on that - so he's trusting me to do this on my own. It's kind of nerve-wracking, so I'm really glad you're helping out."

Miles beams. "Of course! I'm just happy to be able to help." And he is - he's almost glad he'd messed up so badly last year since it's allowed him to discover exactly how fantastic helping out really is. "I'll tell you the second I get a response from a journalist."

Rose beams back and thanks him, and he's glad to see it - she'd seemed so bummed yesterday, and even moments earlier she'd been uncharacteristically nervous and frowny. He far prefers seeing her smile. He just hopes he can get her that journalist meeting soon, so he doesn't seem like a giant liar.

His wish is granted when a messenger from the Atrium pops out of the lift just minutes before Miles was planning to pack up and leave with a message from him.

"Awesome! This must be from the Prophet - thanks at ton." He grins, and the man look slightly startled as he offers an uncertain "you're wecome?" before fleeing back to the lift.

Strange guy. Still, Miles doens't dwell on it too much as he tears open the scroll - and nearly shrieks in surprise. Not only is it from the Prophet - and same day response is rare if not unheard of - it's the exact reporter he'd requested.

Gabriel Beaux has been a Prophet legend for nearly a decade, having cracked dozens of cold cases through his detective work and investigations. As an investigative reporter, this sort of thing isn't normally what he would handle, so Miles is surprised how quickly he'd agreed to do a sit-down with Rose to talk about the Initiative (despite having specifically asked for him in the first place). Still, he's not going to look a gift horse in the mouth.

He spins in his seat, hopping up and rushing straight over to Rose and Landon's desks. "Hey! Rose hey!"

She looks up curiously, a smile stretching over her face when she sees his expression. "No way, already?"

"And we don't just have a time to talk with a Prophet reporter - we're talking with the Prophet reporter! I got you a sit down with Gabriel Beaux in two days at one in the afternoon." He says, nearly running out of breath at the end of the declaration.

Landon whistles. ", even I've heard of Beaux - wasn't he the guy who solved the Cohen Caper six years ago? That was massive in the States, I remember my mom talking about it constantly with her friends. There was some major upheaval in the higher levels of MACUSA because of that." He grins. "If he's covering our story I think we're in good hands."

"Miles, why don't you come with me?" Rose asks suddenly. "It would be good to have one of the faces of the Initiative present, right? Plus you've been such a help setting all this up, it only seems fair."

Miles would like to say that he considered doing the noble thing and allowed Rose all the fun, but he didn't hesitate.

"Heck yeah!"

He tells Serene about their great luck (and also praises her brilliance for managing to set it up) and then spends all of the next day and the following morning vibrating nervously in his seat waiting for the meeting time.

Veena is slightly less enthused than he is. "You said he's an investigative journalist, right? He's going to be breaking down everything you say, analyzing it, and putting it back together and if you say anything even slightly off-"

"I know I know, but seriously Veena, this guy is amazing." Miles promises. "Honestly, if he says that the Initiative won't work or is an unsalvagable disaster, then it probably is. The man is a certified genius you know."

Veena gives him an unamused look. "Miles. I'm serious." She says, and he attempts to mimic her expression.

"Veena. So am I." He replies, then grins, though she just looks annoyed, and he quickly backs down. "Sorry. But seriously, Beaux is amazing - heck, if I do mess up he'll probably tell me and explain how to do even better in the future. Trust me?"

Veena purses her lips, and then sighs. "Yes, I trust you. For some reason." She shakes her head. "Good luck either way - tell me how it goes afterwards? We'll want to prep ahead of time for any possible negative responses to the article."

Miles agrees, though he repeats that he doubts there's anything to worry about. Veena remains unconvinced.

At least Rose is as excited as he is when they meet in the Atrium after lunch to head over to the Prophet offices together. "I did a deep dive into his past work and this guy is fantastic! How did you manage to get him to cover our story? This isn't really his wheelhouse, is it?"

Miles shrugs. "Honestly I saw he was in town and tried my luck - we can ask when we get there what made him agree to the sit-down. I honestly have no idea how we got so lucky!"

They chat a bit about Beaux's impressive resume and their personal favorite investigations once they're through the Floo and heading down Diagon Alley, arriving at the Prophet a bit early.

"Hey Trish!" Miles beams at his friend, who smiles shyly back.

"Hi Miles. And... Rose, I'm guessing?" She asks, and Rose grins and confirms.

"Yup! And everything you've heard is completely true." She declares confidently, and Trish smiles at her as well.

"Mr. Beaux is running a little behind schedule at the moment, but I'll let him know you're here." She says, tone professional but smile still shy and welcoming.

Trish really is the best front person they've ever hired - whoever made that choice should get a cookie.

"So tell me about you Trish! You've obviously heard of my wonderful nonsense, but I can't say I've had the honor of getting to hear about you."

Miles relaxes into one of the uncomfortable lobby chairs as Trish and Rose chat, letting the conversation serve as cheery background noise while he mentally organizes what he should and shouldn't say. Ultimately, of course, this is Rose's interview - he's here for moral support and because he's the face of the Initiative, and he needs to remember that. No talking over her, or taking up most of the conversation. Even if it's only magical people who will read this article, he should get in the habit of checking himself so that it's natural in future Muggle interviews too (even though Veena has assured him repeatedly that she doesn't mind him taking point, he still wants to do better).

When Trish finally receives confirmation for them to head in it's about twenty minutes past their appointment time, and Miles has worked himself into a bit of  a nervous tizzy. He's thinking he probably should have joined Trish and Rose's conversation to keep himself distracted, but what's done is done. Maybe the nerves will be good for keeping him from overtaking Rose's interview.

Trish charms the door behind her with a portal spell, and it opens into an organized mess of an office. Sitting behind the desk is a slightly short, bearded man who's rifling through several files and doesn't even glance up as the door closes behind Rose and Miles.

"Hello, hello, just a moment. I do apologize, I'm chasing a few leads on my latest case and I wanted to get all this in order." Beaux says hurriedly, half gesturing towards two seats perched in front of his desk. "Make yourselves comfortable, anything that's not on the desk can go on the floor, I'll get it later."

Miles' nerves almost immediately evaporate - this may be a sit-down with one of the greatest investigative reporters in magical history, but it's quite clear Beaux intends this to be a casual discussion, not a full-blown interview, which is a lot less scary.

Rose obviously picks up on the relaxed atmosphere as well, and she immediately tosses several files sitting on top of one of the chairs onto the ground and plops herself into the newly freed seat. "Awesome! I have the exact same organizational style." She declares, and Beaux laughs, long and low, as he finally puts away his rolls of parchment and turns to face them fully.

"Well then I think we'll get on just fine." He declares.

As expected, the sit down is calm, casual, and ends up diverting on tangents several times as Beaux shares some of his crazier stories from his travels around the world.

It's not until the end of the chat (Miles really can't call it an interview) that Rose asks the question that Miles had forgotten he'd had at the start of all this.

"So if I may, what made you agree to talk to us today? The Initiative and everything we're going through doesn't seem exactly in your typical line of work." She prods, and Beaux gives another of his deep-chested laughs.

"Are you kidding? This is exactly my kind of work. Political intrigue, internal sabatoge, possible spy networks and the literal fate of the world as the stakes is my bread and butter. When I got the request I knew I had to grab it before anyone else did."

"And is this how you conduct all your interview then? You jut chat with people?"

Beaux laughs. "Not always - I base my approach on what the topic is. I figured you guys could use some informal down time with everything that's been going on recently."

Miles grins. "For sure. It's defintiely appreciated. But hopefully you got everything you needed?"

Beaux's grin is predatory. "Absolutely, don't you worry about that. I always get my information." He assures them, though it makes Miles a bit nervous. "It'll probably be a couple weeks before I'll have time to bang this one out though - I really do need to finish my current assignments first, but I'll send you both an early copy of the article once it's approved for publication."

"We'll look forward to it." Rose says, standing and shaking his hand.

"And thanks again!" Miles adds. "This was really fun."

Beaux grins. "For me too. This'll be a fun story to cover, I can already tell."

It's not until he's nearly home that Miles realizes - Beaux had implied this was only the beginning, hadn't he? If he can 'already tell' it will be fun, that means he doesn't yet have all the information - which means he's going to go digging.

Maybe this was less of a good idea than he thought. Not that he's going to tell Veena that. But... he'll keep a close eye out for that article, just in case.

Author's Note: So... bit of an emotional rollercoaster in this one! That's certainly a way to get these double updates started~ This definitely isn't my strongest chapter, but Rose and Landon needed to start talking again, and Gabe had to get his arse in gear for... reasons. Anyway, see you all on the weekend!